Not. A. Chance.
But then, I always knew that would be the case. Because, as Kat so eloquently said today on her blog about her sweater, “knitting is not a race and this sweater will be a welcome addition to my sweater drawer whenever it is finished.”
Same, Kat. Same.
But I decided to give you a one-month-in and certainly-not-banging-out progress update all the same. (Because I know that inquiring minds want to know.) Last week, I claimed that I’d be dividing for the sleeves by the end of the week. Which, as you can see by the current blob of knitting photo above, turned out not to be the case. But certainly soon. Maybe even today if I have the time to do any knitting.
Anyway, as you can see in this very unfiltered early Saturday morning bathroom mirror shot (complete with pjs + slippers, just-woke-up-hair, scattered workout equipment, and toilet-in-the-background), I have reached the put-hundreds-of-stitches-on subsidiary-needles Try On The Yoke phase.
And I’m smiling.
Because it is going to be good. The very-oversized fit I’m going for seems to be within my grasp.
But. Not quite ready for the sleeve divide.
Because in this pattern, the directions call for two “conditions” to be met before dividing for the sleeves. One, of course, is that all the yoke increases are complete. The other “condition” is the length of the back of the sweater from the cast on edge. (And I love this. Because raglan fit needs to be right for the overall sweater fit to be right, and just completing all the yoke increases doesn’t necessarily mean you’re “done” with the yoke. Not all patterns spell this out. This one does.)
So my mirror shot shows my progress after all the increases have been finished. (Check.) BUT . . . before I met the measurement condition. So. It was back to yoke-knitting for another inch-and-a-half for me.
I’m there now. (A slight smidge MORE than “there,” actually, but I’m fine with that.) (Remember . . . I’m going for oversized.)
Good things? I really love this knit pattern. It’s easy to “see” just where you are in the pattern at all times. (That’s really thanks to the brilliant two-color mosaic design. I cannot imagine the trouble I’d have gotten myself into if I were knitting this with just one color. Which is an option.) As long as you don’t mess up on the yoke increases, it’s also easy to “fix” your mistakes (as long as you catch them quick enough). (It is rather messy, though, if you mess up on a yoke increase. Ask me how I know. . . ) And it’s a very rhythmic, very soothing pattern to knit, once you get the hang of it.
What I kinda don’t like at the moment? Having ALL those stitches ALL jammed together on my circular needle. I am tired of that. (It just doesn’t feel very smooth or rhythmic right now, y’know?)
Which means . . . I’m highly motivated to get those sleeves divided! (Soon. Very soon.)
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How about you? What are you working on this week?
Wise knitters do not compete! They enjoy the process of their craft, whatever that may entail. I already know I am going to love this sweater, Kym.
I love true-to-life, realistic photos and this is a great one! Especially because you’re smiling at knitting a sweater you’ll love but not banging out for good reasons.
It’s just a matter of time, dear. I am also a fan of mosaic patterns. All those slipped stitches are fast.
Oh, gosh… this is all just so gorgeous Kym! I love that mustard color with the purple!! And your increases look gorgeous! I think this sweater is one that will be its best self with a bit of oversizing! And you are right… this knitting is just so perfectly zen… once you get past those raglan increases! Ha!
It’s looking great, Kym! Love that color combo.
I think it’ll be well worth the time it’s taking to get the fit right. I know there are some sloggy moments in every big project, and when I get to them I just try to remember that I LIKE knitting and doing it is what brings me enjoyment and calm. Soon enough you’ll be past this awkward phase and into the zooming of the body.
The colour choices are stunning, I love them! And I’m so pleased to see a candid photo, I sometimes despair at my own pictures or, worse, put off blogging until I can take a photo where I’ve washed my hair and the light is right and I’m wearing proper trousers and my washing isn’t hanging up behind me etc etc… So you have set a very good example here 😊
It’s looking great, Kym! And I’m so glad you’re happy with the fit so far. Hannah’s won’t be finished either. I’m maybe almost half way through the length of the body. I’m glad for the zoom classes and BOAS enthusiasm that got me motivated but I’m fine with not finishing in 3 days time.
Beautiful Kym. And you re correct – it’s never a race. Enjoy the process.
I hear what you are saying about all those stitches on the needles. When I get to that point, I try to remember how much I will enjoy knitting the body after I’ve put the sleeve stitches on waste yarn. The designer is brilliant to include the yoke measurement from the back cast on edge. I hope that becomes a trend for designers. I think fitting a yoke is the trickiest part of a top down sweater. Your colors are so pretty together.
I usually love how the fit of a raglan yoke sits perfectly on my imperfect body. But I also thought this one might be better somewhat oversized, don’t ask me why. All this raglan/short-row/mosaic talk has me considering some practice swatches for short rows and mosaics. But since I like to swatch on a plane and this requires two balls it is not very plane-friendly. (Hmm, unless you keep one mini-ball in one pocket and the other one in the other pocket,but they can Still roll out. Ugh). Anyways, dying to see your finished project, Kym!
I love the texture from the mosaic knitting! When you return to the yoke, is that with increases, as well? Or knitting plain without increases so you don’t make the sleeves too large?